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Tee It Up for the Troops raises money, shows appreciation for military personnel

STORY BY ROBYN PASSANTE, THE ISLAND PACKET

Capt. Denver Edick, who works on Parris Island, says his boss often complains that Edick works too much — which is probably why he was selected to play in the annual Tee It Up for the Troops event held Friday at Sea Pines Country Club on Hilton Head Island. And the Marine was more than happy to follow his command’s orders.

“It was phenomenal. Sure beat being in the office,” said Edick, who’s been an active duty Marine for 11 years. “It was a beautiful day, beautiful course, great people and a great event.”

Tee It Up for the Troops hosted 60 servicemen and women from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and U.S. Naval Hospital Beaufort for a day of golf and a bit of pampering to thank them for their service and raise money to support veterans and their families across the country.

“They’re serving our country and we’re proud to give them a nice day; it’s very rewarding for us,” said Ron Taylor, a club member and one of the event’s organizers.

The local tournament was one of 60 planned across the country this year, said Jodi Baer, director of operations for the national organization.

“Since 2005, Tee It Up for the Troops has hosted over 360 golf fundraising events and donated more than $7 million to veteran service organizations,” Baer said. “Through collective efforts, including over 25,000 hours of volunteer time dedicated to our events in 2016 alone, we are providing critically needed services to assist veterans and military families successfully reintegrate into their communities.”

Click here for the rest of the story!

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The Club Foundation Exceeds $100,000 in Support of Tee It Up for the Troops

Media Contacts: 
The Club Foundation – Melissa Low, melissa.low@cmaa.org
Tee It Up for the Troops – Tim Wegscheid, President/Executive Director for Tee It Up for the Troops, tim@teeitupforthetroops.org

Alexandria, VA – The Club Foundation is excited to announce that it has surpassed more than $100,000 in contributions to Tee It Up for the Troops, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves U.S. military veterans and their families. Since 2008, The Club Foundation has donated $108,200 to Tee It Up for the Troops, providing much-needed support to assist the organization in fulfilling its mission to help veterans and military families successfully reintegrate into their communities.The Club Foundation

The Club Foundation’s most recent contribution of $20,000 was presented to Tee It Up for the Troops at the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) 90th World Conference on Club Management and Club Business Expo in Orlando, FL, in February. The check was presented to Tim Wegscheid, Tee It Up for the Troops President and Executive Director; Matthew Terry, Navy veteran and Tee It Up for the Troops employee; and David Booth, a 20 year Army Master Sergeant (Ret.) and Purple Heart recipient, who served as a combat medic and was severely injured in September 2006 in Iraq. These men were acknowledged with a standing ovation from CMAA’s attendees for their service to their country.

Since 2005, Tee It Up for the Troops has hosted more than 360 golf fundraising events across the nation and has donated more than $7 million to various veteran service organizations. Their financial support is targeted across the most pressing areas of need including:  housing, sports rehabilitation, treatment of PTSD and TBI, service dogs and arts therapy, suicide prevention, emergency support, employment and caregiver support.

Tim Wegscheid, Tee It Up for the Troops President and Executive Director, shared: “We are thankful for The Club Foundation’s ongoing and generous support. It is vital to help military veterans and their families, and it is clearly helping to make a positive difference in their lives.”

About The Club Foundation
The Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established by CMAA in 1988. The Foundation seeks to fund the life cycle of a club manager’s career, providing financial support for five key areas: students, faculty, club managers, CMAA chapters and the club industry at large. It supports the advancement of club management professionals, funding industry education programs through scholarships and grants. Learn more at www.clubfoundation.org.

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Pinnacle Peak Country Club made a Difference by Hosting Tee it up for the Troops Golf Tournament!

Thank you Pinnacle Peak Country Club Members for your support by hosting the 7th Annual Tee it Up for the Troops Golf Tournament on April 12th. It was an honor to have you host this event once again at PPCC!
Pinnacle Peak Country Club 5th Annual Event Flyover
 
Pinnacle Peak Country Club Members displayed unwavering support for this event as 130 golfers took to the links to raise money for those who have been wounded in battle and to show their appreciation for the troops. Each foursome was accompanied by a wounded patriot or active duty military service member. The event resulted in a donation in the amount of over $60,000. Pinnacle Peak Country Club has donated over $376,000 to Tee it up for the Troops over the past 7 years.
 
Pinnacle Peak Country Club 5th Annual EventThe military honorary ceremony was the highlight of the day. This event included a stirring tribute to the men and women of our military, past and present, complete with a Bag Pipe Call to Arms, Honor Guard honoring all service branches, Invocation, National Anthem sung by local celebrity Holly Kirsten, dove release, fireworks, and a flyover with T-34 and C-6 fighter planes that served in the Korean War.
In addition, many paused to honor and remember the amazing life of SGT First Class Brian Mancini on Hole #1 of this event. Founder of Honor House, SGT Mancini left us way to soon and will always be remembered as the true American Hero he was. Rest In Peace Soldier.
 
This tournament provided all attendees the opportunity to personally show their gratitude and appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice of our true American heroes, while enjoying a great time with family, friends, wounded patriots and active duty military members.
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“I believe my song gives them a better understanding of what I went through when I was deployed.”

On behalf of all of those who “stepped up to the tee” at our 2016 events, we were able to donate over $1,000,000 to veteran support organizations, including a $20,000 donation to CreatiVets! We are proud to support organizations like Creativets who are making a difference in the lives of our American heroes!

Jeremy Durbin, Executive Director of Creativets, said “Your donation has allowed us to provide songwriting sessions and art programming for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Through these experiences, participants have learned the benefits of using art and music as a form of stress and anxiety relief. They have also created incredible songs and artwork that have enabled them to tell their stories in a way that creates something beautiful from something tragic.”

“Even though my friends and family do not understand what it was like in Iraq, I believe my song gives them a better understanding of what I went through while deployed.” – Veteran Participant, Songwriting Program 

CreatiVets’ mission is to provide disabled veterans with the opportunity to use art, music and creative writing to address the psychological and emotional needs that arise from service-related trauma.  Our goal is to empower veterans with tools they can use for the rest of their lives to combat stress, depression and other side effects of war.

“It’s hard to express in words how I felt after that experience, but I know I let go of something deep and feel that this experience is going to allow me to maintain that positive attitude while giving me the courage to live a meaningful life with my children. ” – Veteran Participant, Art Program

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We love supporting veteran service organizations that provide service dogs for veterans!

Tee It Up for the Troops is proud to support many wonderful veteran service organizations throughout the United States including those that provide service dogs for veterans.

The influence service dogs have in the daily life of veterans cannot be overstated as was shared recently by one Trauma Assistance Dog recipient:

“Many combat veterans don’t come home the same person they were when they left here to fight for our country. We leave part of ourselves in the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan. My dog has given me a lot of my life back. We are always together and are best friends. I have been able to enjoy going out with my family and not have to worry about anything else around. [My dog] has given me hope that I thought was lost.”Jonathan-300x252

Drew and Bogey 2

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FIRST “OPERATION HEARTFIRST” GYM OFFICIALLY OPENS

Grand Opening ceremonies for, military veterans, Tristan and Hannah Ambrozewski’s Anytime Fitness gym in Southern Pines, NC – near Fort Bragg – took place on April 12th, 2016.

The very first beneficiaries of a partnership between Tee It Up for the Troops and Anytime Fitness’ Operation HeartFirst initiative are dedicated to helping other military veterans and their families get to a healthier place.

Asked what they would like to say to Operation HeartFirst contributors, Tristan replied, “Three things:  Thank you.  Thank you.  And thank you!”

The next Operation HeartFirst recipient(s) will be introduced at Anytime Fitness’ conference in Lake Placid in August of 2016. This opportunity is for the Columbus, GA area near Fort Benning. Click here for information about the 2nd Operation Heartfirst opportunity.